Esteban Tovar

It is sometimes said that if something is worth having then it is worth working hard for. Esteban Tovar knew what he wanted out of life and devoted everything he had to making his dreams a reality. Immigrating to the United States as a young man, he embraced the American dream and built a better life for himself and for his family. More than that though, he was a thoughtful and intelligent man, who adored his family. Even as his health started to decline he insisted on doing his share around the house, and never once forgot his daughter's birthday, honoring her most recent one with flowers and a balloon. This story is only a small account of the much greater life that Esteban lived.

Esteban's story begins in central Mexico, where he was born on September 2, 1924 in the city of León de los Aldama, Guanajuato. León, as it is more commonly known, is one of the largest cities in the country of Mexico and the state of Guanajuato, one of the richest. And it is there that Nabor and Micaela (Pedroza) Tovar chose to raise a family, Esteban was the second oldest of their five children.

While life in León was quite prosperous for some, it boasted one of the highest emigration rates to the United States and Canada. Generally those leaving were young men looking for steady jobs in the booming agriculture industry of states like California and Texas. A short while after turning 30, Esteban decided to become one of the many leaving Mexico in search of a better life. After arriving in the States, he settled in Donna, Texas where he found work in a tomato peeling factory.

In 1966, Esteban grew tired of life in Texas and decided to move his family to southwestern Michigan. Lured by the many opportunities available in seasonal crops, Esteban's found his first job in the town of Pullman picking blueberries. Eventually, Esteban settled a little further south in the town of Lawton, where he took a job tying grapes at the vineyard owned by Rick Brown and his family. The Brown family became Esteban's second family and they always saw to it that he had a steady work.

Coming to the United States so many years earlier, Esteban had more than achieved his goal of finding a better life and in 1986; he became a United States Citizen.

Esteban enjoyed listening to music and watching old movies, especially westerns. He also liked to play cards and go fishing whenever he got the chance. And while he may have never learned to read or write, he could rival college graduates when it came to math.

In the latter part of his life, Esteban lived with his daughter Maria and her family in nearby Lawrence. He always kept a beautiful garden in the yard and it was his pride and joy, second only to his family. Esteban was never very fond of children, but he had a soft spot for his grandchildren. He always had so much fun playing games with them, living with his daughter and her family was definitely a treat for Esteban.

He was a thoughtful and loving man, who will forever remain in the hearts and minds of his family and friends as they remember all of the joy his life brought them.

Esteban P. Tovar died on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at Bronson Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife, Andrea Soliz. Members of his family include two daughters; Maria (Martin Mandujano) Martinez of Lawrence and Senaida of Texas; a step-son, Juan Carrizales; six grandchildren: Gerardo Martinez, Joel Martinez, Arturo (Florinda) Martinez, Martin (Kata) Mandujano, Elias Mandujano and Andrea Mandujano.

Friends may visit with the family at the Life Story Funeral Homes -Betzler & Thompson, 60900 M-40 Paw Paw, 657-3870 on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. A prayer service will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Please visit Esteban's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or sign the guest book before coming to the funeral home.